Monday, October 13, 2014

Getting started

So you want to get started, but you don't know how. Or you know how but you are scared. I get it. I had multiple "false starts" on my weight loss journey, where I woke up 100% committed, only to go to sleep that night saying "maybe next week". You aren't alone.

The key to getting started is this. Just do it. I know that seems obvious, but there are no perfect circumstances in which to start. Start where you are with what you have, and you will get there. But in case that is a little vague, here are some tips that definitely help!

1. Decide. This one sounds obvious, but we usually start half assed-ly, and that doesn't get you anywhere. Decide to change. Decide that you want to. Decide that you deserve to, and decide WHY you are doing it. That "Why" will keep you going through the darkest parts, so make it good. I have discovered that a good why is key. When my why was my wedding dress, I didn't care enough to really keep going. My life was not dependent on getting into a wedding dress. But when I decided that my why was me, because I deserved to feel happy and beautiful, there were higher stakes. I didn't want to let myself down. Decide on a why that really will keep you going.

2. Plan. The best of intentions can be foiled by bad planning. So you wanna lose weight- sweet. But how? Get on pinterest and find or make a meal plan that works for you. Make sure its something that you will legitimately stick with. If you hate chicken and rice, don't plan to eat chicken and rice for every meal. Spoiler alert. You will fail. If you need to, take baby steps! If you eat out 5 nights a week, plan to eat in a few more times. If you usually grab Taco Bell for lunch, try packing your lunch instead. You don't have to change everything at once. Start small. It's okay. You also need to move. A large percentage of losing weight is diet, sure, but exercise is important too. Take walks after dinner as a family, take a walk on your lunch break, do whatever you can. Write it on your calendar and move your body! :D

3. Promise. Setting goals is important, but more important are promises. Promise yourself you will drink 3 glasses of water a day. When that feels like second nature, promise that you will drink 6. Promise yourself that you will move for 10 minutes a day. When you have that down, promise you will move for 15. Set small, achievable promises to build trust in yourself. Take it from someone who has tried and failed 7,803 times, that takes it's toll. Its way better to start small, and build trust so when you really really don't want to move, you can say "I promised, and my promise means something". That is all the accountability you need.

4. Share. A great way to stay on track and stay accountable is to share what you are doing with other people. That's why I started this blog, so I recommend blogging as a way to stay accountable. Other ways are by joining accountability groups, finding an accountabilibuddy or sharing with your spouse. Doing this alone is way harder, so finding someone to do it with, or at least talk to, helps a ton!

5. Lather, Rinse, Repeat. You are going to wake up some Thursday sick of this. Its not fun. You want brownies. You don't want to go for another walk ever again in your whole life. Before you fly off the handle and eat a whole pan of brownies, decide. Decide to enjoy a little brownie, take a break from walking today and focus on your mental health. But decide to keep going. Plan a new plan, promise to not stop, and share your struggle. You WILL struggle, that's par for the course. But if you throw all of your hard work out every time you don't feel like continuing, you are never going to get anywhere.

You have the power to change your life, all it takes is a little gumption to do it.

Time for the legal mumbo jumbo. I am not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be. I am not a personal trainer, or a nutritionist, and neither are any of the people who guest post or comment on my blog (unless they specify differently). Nothing on this blog, or it's subsidiary Facebook groups should be taken as medical advise, and I am not liable for anything you do while listening to me :D Consult your physician before you engage in any new heath and fitness plan, just like I did.